This week was my second week of school, and boy, do I have some updates. I got my thesis idea approved last Friday, which was very exciting and I can’t wait to share the news with some of my close friends. My friend was able to order my textbook for $10 when its over $100 through the school and I paid her back.
My classes are going quite well. All my professors are amazing and really supportive of all the students. I continue learning my way around campus and Arcata. Google Maps is terrible at navigating Arcata, so I’ve been having to rely on just looking at the map and then winging it to get to my location. I am also getting better at navigating the campus. At first, I learned how to get to all the places I needed to go from the J dining hall, but I’m learning all the different paths and shortcuts I can take to my destinations around campus. This has made it easier to get to my classes and work, as well as finding exits off campus so that I can get to places like CVS, Safeway, and Revolution.
Last Thursday, I went to Solid Rock, the young adults ministry at First Baptist in Arcata. It was really nice, and everyone was so welcoming. It is much smaller than Renown, and that was nice, because it was less overwhelming. I lost my Hydro Flask, but when retracing my steps, I realized I left it in Sidney’s car when she took me back to the apartment. The church has nicknamed the new apartments (where I live) Tombstone, and it is quite fitting. From the outside, it looks like an office building, and on the inside it looks more like a prison. They give renovated Swedish Prison vibes, which is fitting because we found out the buildings are actually modeled off prisons, and our furniture came from a prison near here.
I went to the Eureka night market last Friday night with my roommate and a friend I made at Solid Rock. We ended up walking all around the market, and we got Lemonade and a desert which was really tasty. We were able to take the bus to Eureka and back, which was really nice, because the bus was quick and free for us. We also found out that my professor and thesis advisor went, and we saw him. I also saw a really cute hoodie that I’d like to get and I got a bandana which is really cute, and I’m excited to use it. It is starting to cool off in Arcata, however, the humidity is trying to take me out, and is making the Asthma worse, so I need to call the doctor and make an appointment to see him.
I also worked my first two shifts this week at the College Creek Market on campus, and thus far, everyone seems quite kind, and the job seems to be a good one. I did pull a muscle at work because my body is just deciding to act up now that I’ve moved and have no doctor. Because why would my body ever attempt to cooperate with me? I have really enjoyed getting to meet new people and to get things accomplished in work and school. My boss seems really kind, and Shannon was able to approve my time off, so that way I can attend Emma’s wedding, which I truly appreciate, because I want to be there to celebrate with my girl!
This week has also been quite fun. The AR program hosted its annual potluck at Redwood Park. Rebecca was kind enough to pick me up from work and take me to the potluck, and the professors were so kind. We got to meet the faculty for psychology and some second-year students, and a few who have graduated. I played wiffleball with Dr. Gaffney, Dr. Mari, Benny, and Ivan. I’ve gotten closer to people in my cohort, such as Ellarose and Ivan. I am looking forward to the next year and half in the program, and Arcata is starting to feel a little more like home with each experience that I have.
Today I am going to pick up stamps and stationery so that I can start writing letters home to my friends and family. If you want to be added to my letter list, please DM me your address, and if I gave you an address, please reach out because the previous one is incorrect. I am hoping to start sending them out in the next week or two. I hope that everyone’s week goes well, and I will continue to keep everyone posted on this grad school journey!